10 Things to Avoid if you take Methadone during the Holidays

Methadone is by far one of the most popular treatments for chronic pain and opiate addiction. There are some things you need to watch out for according to the National Library of Medicine. Methadone has a number of interactions that are potentially dangerous. There are quite a few things that you might encounter over the holidays that can cause issues with your methadone treatments.

1. Alcohol

The holidays are a time for drinking and merriment. Unfortunately, while you are on methadone, you should avoid alcohol at all costs. Alcohol intensifies the sedative effects of methadone. This means that it can slow your respiration and heart rate to the point of death if you take too much of either. It is best just to stay away from all of those holiday drinks while on methadone.

2. Sugary Treats

One of the more tempting things about the holidays are all the cookies and candy available. Unfortunately, these act as stimulants. Using stimulations during methadone treatment can stall your recovery by making the cravings for opiates come back.

3. Caffeine

Caffeine should be avoided for the same reason sugar should. It can counteract the methadone defeating the purpose of taking it in the first place.

4. Citrus

In some cultures, citrus such as oranges and grapefruits are holiday traditions. Unfortunately citrus particularly grapefruit can increase the effectiveness of methadone.

5. People who use Opiates

Although this seems self-explanatory some people share drugs. As a methadone patient you have probably been warned about taking opiates while on methadone treatments.

6. The Stress that Goes with the Holidays

Too much stress can trigger cravings.

It is impossible to avoid holiday stress completely but it is important to remember that your body is recovering from an addiction. As you are detoxing higher stress levels can trigger cravings for opiates and heroin.

7. Other Opiate Inhibitors

This is not just a warning for the holidays. If you are taking methadone, you should avoid other drugs for opiate detox such as Suboxone or Subutex. Drugs like these can cause adverse reactions.

8. Holiday Triggers

Again, this might seem obvious but you should not let your guard down around things that might trigger your opiate use. Avoiding triggers is a very important part of your recovery.

9. Depressants in General

With all of the holiday stress, you might be tempted to take a sleeping pill or two to sleep. This is a very bad idea. Many sleeping pills work by causing respiratory depression. Methadone is also a respiratory depressant; taking both at the same time can cause serious side effects.

The contents of the MethadoneCenters.com web site (the “Site”) are for informational purposes only. The Information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, tests or treatment, and does not create a physician-patient relationship.